Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Making a

Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

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Jeff Branch Woodworks

pril 27, 2011 was a day that would forever change the lives of many people living in North Alabama. It was on that day that 63 tornadoes churned through our state causing wide-spread damage and hundreds of deaths. Every major city in Northern Alabama was impacted in some way. Many communities were directly struck by a tornado. Then for those Alabamians who were not directly affected, many knew someone who was.

My wife and I watched with horror on that afternoon as an EF4 tornado decimated parts of Tuscaloosa where our daughter attends the University of Alabama. Our power had been off - the result of early morning storms. It came back on just in time for us to see the tornado wreaking havoc on Tuscaloosa live and in high definition. Fortunately our daughter’s dorm was not in the path of the tornado, but many others were not so lucky. Six students of the university lost their lives and there were scores of people injured.

Simple construction and a splash of style lead to a rewarding project.

By JEFF BRANCH

This same tornado continued on the ground some 50 miles, striking the metro Birmingham area. The tornado inflicted horrible damage to Pleasant Grove, the community where my brother and his family reside. It seemed like hours had passed before we got word that they were OK (my brother actually met up with the tornado as he raced home to be with his family). The storms continued to develop on into the evening capping off a historic severe weather day.

Continued ď ľ

Continued from page 1

Design considerations and materials

When this kind of event strikes so close to home, something must be done to help. But what would be the best way to respond? Like many families, we bought needed items which were then delivered to courageous relief workers (they were awesome - like an army of very caring people which seemed to instantly descend on towns like Tuscaloosa, Concord, Pleasant Grove and many areas of North Alabama).

At first, I thought about building something utilitarian and basic. The goal would be to simply get a needy family a proper place to sleep as quickly as possible. Inexpensive materials, sort of thrown together - this seemed wrong; almost like short changing someone who had been through a terrible experience. So I decided to build a simple bed and add a few stylish elements: a paneled head board, heavy posts and rails - thicker than normal, and some easy to make finials for the posts.

While we donated items to the needy, I felt I needed to do much more. I needed to get my hands dirty; sweat a little (a lot really). I needed to sacrifice in some way other than just donating items or money. I could have helped remove debris, but I have a chronic back problem. Thinking through all of this, I came up with an idea.

As a woodworker, I consider whatever ability I have to be a God given skill. With this in mind, I decided I should build something to contribute to the relief effort. After considering the importance of different pieces of furniture found in a home, I decided a bed would be the item a family would need the most. But what size? A child size bed or something larger? I decided a queen size bed would be most practical.

I remember being sort of nervous about announcing this idea to my family and friends. I had never approached a project like this before. Due to economic conditions, I knew I would have to solicit donations to help offset the cost (the donations were a big help). But I decided to go for it and the project, called the Tornado Bed, was born.

With the designed worked out, I then needed to select the material I would use. The economical option would be the knotty pine available at the home center.

In my area, this kind of wood is not really furniture grade material - much of it full of nasty defects and often warped in a variety of ways. The cost of woods like oak, cherry and walnut would be budget busters for sure.

While walking through a local home center, I noticed some clear or “select” pine. Pine can be a handsome wood without all the defects. While more costly than the economy pine, select pine is a lot less than many hard woods.

My only reservation was the color of pine - virtually white in its natural state. This would mean I’d have to stain it which can be challenging. I had been reading about a new pre-stain conditioner which woodworkers were having excellent results with, so I decided to give select pine a try.

With the selection made, the project which would last six months, officially got under way.

2 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

About the tornadoes

A screen shot of the storm moving south of downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Reporters correctly call this tornado “massive”. See the video by clicking here.

April 27th was an unbelievable day. I can’t ever remember tornadoes being so numerous and wide spread. To give you an idea of the magnitude of what happened, I have linked to some of the videos and graphics about that day…

First, a graphic showing the paths of the 63 different tornadoes that struck our state (click here).

Second, a somber graphic of the deaths by county indicating how wide-spread the tornados were (click here). In all, 247 people were killed.

And lastly, one more video showing students emerging from damaged areas in Tuscaloosa (click here).

Cut List Headboard Assembly Ⓐ 2 Headboard Post—Inner

47 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2”

Ⓑ 4 Headboard Post—Outer

47 1/4 x 3 x 3/4”

Ⓒ 2 Headboard Post—End

47 1/4 x 3 x 3/4”

Ⓓ 2 Panel Rails

62 3/8 x 3 x 1 1/2”

Ⓔ 2 Panel End Stiles

12 1/2 x 3 5/16 x 1 1/2”

Ⓕ 1 Panel Center Stile

12 1/2 x 3 x 1 1/2”

Ⓖ 2 Panels

26 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 3/4”

Ⓗ 1 Headboard Lower Rail

62 3/8 x 7 x 1 1/2”

Footboard Assembly Ⓘ 2 Footboard Post—Inner

33 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2”

Ⓙ 4 Footboard Post—Outer

33 x 3 x 3/4”

Ⓚ 2 Footboard Post—End

33 x 3 x 3/4”

Ⓛ 1 Footboard Top Rail

62 3/8 x 3 x 1 1/2”

Ⓜ 1 Footboard Lower Rail

62 3/8 x 7 x 1 1/2”

Side Rails/Mattress Support Ⓝ 2 Side Rail

82 x 7 x 1 1/2”

Ⓞ 8 Cleats

20 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3/4”

Ⓟ 5 Slats

61 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 3/4”

Ⓠ 1 Center Support

83 1/2 x 5 x 3/4”

Ⓡ 2 Center Support Posts

12 1/16 x 2 1/4 x 2 1/4”

Ⓢ 2 Center Support Bracket

9 x 1 1/2 x 3/4”

Finials Ⓣ 16 Finial Base Triangles Ⓤ 4 Finials

3 1/4 x 1 23/64 x 3/4” 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4”

This does not include 3/4” oak dowels for the finials and side rails, or 1/4” oak dowels for mortise and tenon pins. You will need six inch heavy duty wrought steel bed rail fasteners, part number 28597 from Rockler.com. In addition, you will also need two adjustable levelers for parts R. These are available at your local home center store.

A note about the bed size and mattress height: this bed is designed to fit a mattress box spring which measures 60 inches by 80 inches. In doing research prior to building this bed, I found mention on the internet that this is the standard dimension for a queen size box spring. To eliminate any surprises, be sure to measure your box spring prior to building your bed. This bed is designed to fit the box spring close on the sides with more room at the foot board to allow for a quilt or comforter.

A box spring and mattress can add about 20” to the sleeping height of the bed. Add height of the bed and you can expect the top of your mattress to be about 34 1/4” above the floor.

Parts O, P, Q, R and S, which support the box spring and mattress, should be made of hardwood. In the exploded view on page four and elsewhere in this plan, these components are shown in a darker wood color.

Staining: I made this bed using clear pine which was stained. I like pre-staining wood prior to certain assemblies which is what you will see in this plan. I include my current favorite method for staining pine on page 17.

Sand your parts as you proceed in the plan. If you will be staining your bed, be prepared to pre-stain certain faces and components as sub-assemblies occur.

One more note: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the steps required to complete this project. If you have any questions, please email me at jeffobranch@hotmail.com.

3 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Exploded View Stub tenons are utilized in the headboard panel.

The center board in each post is notched to receive tenons.

by Je Š 2012

ff Branch

Side rails are attached to the posts with metal fasteners.

All mortise and tenon joints are secured with glue and pegs.

The posts are formed from a glue up of five boards.

4 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Main Dimensions Footboard View

29”

12”

50 3/4”

66”

47 1/4”

36 1/2” 33” © 2012 by Jeff Branch

19” 12”

Side View 88”

5 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Main Dimensions

Headboard View

© 2012 by Jeff Branch

43 1/4”

28 1/4”

12”

60”

6 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Step One: Making the Posts

1 1/4” 1/2” 1 1/4”

See more about this step by clicking here.

2 1/2”

12 1/2” 1 1/4”

Ⓙ

Ⓙ

Ⓑ

1 1/4”

2 1/2”

Ⓘ

2 1/2”

© 2012 by Jeff Branch

Ⓐ Ⓚ Ⓑ

7a

11 1/4”

10 1/2”

5”

5”

Ⓒ

Begin forming the posts by cutting the needed components to size (see the cut list). One recommendation: leave all parts a little long at this point. Cut out the notches as shown in 7b, paying attention to part A which has a stepped notch; 1/2” deep for the headboard panel and 1 1/4” deep for the rails.

13”

Glue the footboard posts outer boards, parts J (highlighted in blue) to the inner board, part I. Take care to keep glue out of the notched area. When dry, glue the end board, part K (red) in place. Trim both footboard posts to final length. Repeat this process to create the headboard posts.

7b

This completes the post sub-assembly.

7 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Ⓘ

13”

Ⓐ

Step Two: Assemble the Footboard

Note the pre-stained area extends slightly onto the tenon.

1 3/16”

Both rails have been pre-stained excluding the tenons.

Ⓛ

Ⓛ

2 1/2”

1/4”

Ⓜ

8b

© 2012 by Jeff Branch

Test fitting the tenon is easier if you add a slight chamfer to the edges of the tenon.

1 3/16”

Note the inside edge of both posts have been pre-stained.

Completed footboard post.

8a

Ⓜ

5”

With the footboard posts completed, next up is to form the footboard rails, parts L and M. See the cut list for their sizes. After cutting them to size, form tenons on each end as shown in diagrams 8b and 8c. Test fit the tenons by inserting them into their corresponding mortises, then plane or sand as needed to achieve a snug fit.

Pre-stain parts L and M as well as the inside edge of the footboard posts as shown in 8a. Next, spread a liberal amount of glue in the post mortises and slide the rails in place. Make sure everything is square, clamp and let dry.

8c

This completes the footboard assembly.

8 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

1”

Step Three: Create the Headboard Ⓓ

Ⓔ

Ⓖ

Ⓕ

Ⓖ

Ⓔ

Ⓓ

Ⓗ

© 2012 by Jeff Branch

9a We’ll go over the headboard sub-assembly over the next few pages. To make the process as simple as possible, some of the components are the same size. In the headboard panel sub-assembly, the upper and lower rails along with the panels are the same. The lower rail, part H is the same as the lower rail in the footboard.

For the panel itself, the lower and upper rails, parts D, get unique tenons. The panel stiles, parts E and F have stub tenons. To further explain the process for creating the headboard, see the detailed views on the next page.

9 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Create the Headboard Some components in these four illustrations are hidden from view.

This notch is 1 3/16” x 1/4”.

The slot along the inner edge of parts D, are 3/4” wide and 1/4” deep. Do this for both panel rails.

Ⓓ This notch is 11/16” x 1/4”.

Ⓖ

Ⓔ 10a

The headboard panel center stile, part F, has a tenon on both ends and a slot down each side.

Ⓕ

The tenons are 3/4” thick and 1/4” tall.

The slots are 3/4” wide and 1/2” deep.

Ⓓ

The panel lower rail is a mirror image of the upper one.

10c

The slot for the panel is 3/4” wide and 1/2” deep.

Ⓖ Note part E slips into the notch in the post.

Ⓔ

The tenon in part E is 3/4” thick and 1/4” tall.

© 2012 by Jeff Branch

Ⓗ Ⓓ

3 1/2”

Ⓗ 10b

10d

The tenon for the lower rail, part H, is cut the same as shown in 8c.

10 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Using the cut list and the illustrations on page 10, form the parts needed for the headboard panel sub-assembly.

Create the Headboard See more about this step by clicking here.

Ⓔ

Ⓕ

Ⓖ Ⓓ

Test fit the headboard panel and make sure everything looks good.

The easiest way to get started is to center part F on part D and work outward from there. Slip a panel in place and then position part E. Note in illustration 10b that part E resides 3 1/2” in from the edge of the tenon in part D. Sand all joints to ensure a smooth transition where the stiles meet the rails.

Next, pre-stain all the components needed for the panel. Make sure that any area which receives glue is left un-stained.

© 2012 by

Jeff Branch

With the stain dry, add glue to the tenons on the center stile and end stiles and repeat the process of adding components like you did in the test fit. The panels, parts G, float in their slots, so no glue for them.

11a

Clamp, check for square and set aside to dry.

11 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Create the Headboard With the headboard panel assembled, we can now complete the headboard.

Form the lower headboard rail, part H, and cut tenons on each end following the directions shown in illustration 8c. Pre-stain this part leaving as shown in 8c.

© 2012 by Jeff Branch

Also, pre-stain the inner face of both headboard posts.

With a large glue-up like this, I like to accomplish it in steps. First, I glued the headboard panel and lower rail into the left post. Note the red arrows—we want glue on the tenons only.

Ⓗ

To make clamping easiest, slip the right post in place without glue. Pull everything up tight with clamps and check for square.

Once the glue has dried, remove the right post, add glue to the remaining tenons and slide the right post back into place. Clamp and check for square.

Prior to glue-up, pre-stain the inner face of the headboard posts.

12a

12 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Step Four: Add the Side Rails

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h nc Bra

See more about this step by clicking here.

Ⓝ

Ⓞ Six inch heavy duty wrought steel bed rail fastener.

13a

To make the side rails, parts N, first cut them to final size. Next, create a recess in each end for the heavy duty six inch wrought steel bed rail fasteners (source shown on page three); they should be centered on the end of the side rail. As shown above, drill three holes in each end of the side rails to receive 1 1/4” long hardwood dowels which are 3/4” in diameter. The dowels align with the location of the screws used to attach the bed rail fasteners. Glue the dowels in place and trim flush. Pre-drill holes for the bed rail fastener screws and then attach the fasteners to each end.

Next, form the hard wood cleats, parts O. I used four per side; I had a hard time finding long, straight and slender sticks of wood, so I used short pieces here. Align the cleats with the lower inside edge of the rail. Attach them with glue and screws.

13 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

Add the Side Rails Ⓗ

Six inch heavy duty wrought steel bed rail fastener.

Ⓢ

Ⓗ 15 1/2”

30”

14b

Ⓢ

©2 012 by

14a

Jeff

Bran c

h

See more about this step by clicking here.

Next, create a recess in each post for the mating bed rail fastener. Center it on each post with the center of the faster located 15 1/2” up from the bottom as shown above. Repeat this step for the footboard. You will need to create an additional recess to allow clearance for the bed rail fastener hooks.

Create the center support bracket, part S, as shown in 14b and center it along the lower edge of part H. Repeat this step for the footboard. Add 1/4” dowel pins to each mortise and tenon joint—three pins for the lower rails (shown in 14c) and two for remaining rails.

14 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

See more about this step by clicking here.

14c

Step Five: Make the Finials Ⓤ © 2012

15b

Ⓣ

See more about this step by clicking here.

15a

On to the finials, parts U. First, make a block of wood 2 3/4” square and long enough to get six finials.

Form 2 3/4” blocks and using a table saw, clip their corners off. Pick the four best looking finials and drill a 3/4” hole in the base as shown in 15b. Add glue and insert a 1 1/2” long, 3/4” diameter dowel.

Next, create the base from small triangles, parts T. These are 3 1/4” wide pieces of wood with two corners clipped at 45°. Glue four triangles together and drill a 3/4” hole in the center. Counter bore two pilot holes for wood screws. Make sure the screws are positioned so they are hidden by the finials.

Center the base on top of each post and secure with screws. Glue the base and finial in place after applying the finish.

15 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

15c

by Jeff B ranch

Step Six: Final Assembly Ⓡ All of the parts for this step should be made of hard wood.

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by 12 20

ff Je

Ⓠ 16b

Ⓡ

Ⓟ

16a

Time to create the mattress supports. This is where you should use the cut list as a guide, but make final length wise cuts by taking measurements from the bed; which means you need to set it up. Form the center support, part Q and trim it to fit between the headboard and footboard as shown above. Create two center support posts, parts R. Cut them to length allowing clearance for the adjustable levelers as shown in 16b. Attach them to part Q with moderately long wood screws.

Create five slats, parts P and trim them to length by fitting them between the side rails. Parts P and Q simply lay in place; screws are optional.

16 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step

16c

Br

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Final Assembly

The only thing left to do is to apply stain and finish and permanently attach the finials.

Staining pine My current favorite method for staining pine goes like this:

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 Sand up to 220 grit paper.  Apply two coats of Charles Neil’s Pre-Color Conditioner following the directions on the can (read about it by clicking here).  Lightly sand using 320 grit paper. Remove sanding dust with a tack cloth.  Apply a coat of oil based stain, let it dry for about five minutes and then wipe the excess away with a clean cloth. Allow to dry.  Lightly rub the surface with #0000 steel wool.

Vacuum the surface and go over it with a tack cloth.  Apply two or more coats of wipe-on polyurethane with a clean cloth. Lightly rub the surface with #0000 steel wool between coats.

Jeff Branch has been woodworking for about 30 years from his home in Pelham, Alabama.

See his blog at http://jeffbranch.wordpress.com.

17a

© 2012 by Jeff Branch. Bed design, woodworking plan text, illustration and page layout by Jeff Branch.

17 • Making a Queen Size Bed Step-by-Step